Investing in travel insurance is a fruitful exercise. It provides a safety cover against emergency situations that may arise during your travel. Some countries have made travel insurance a mandatory requirement for entering their territory.

Why is travel insurance compulsory in some countries?

Is travel insurance mandatory? Well, it could garner different responses from different countries. There are around 34 countries across the world which mandatorily require you to have a travel insurance policy if you are entering their territories. For example, if you are visiting any of the 26 Schengen countries in Europe, in the capacity of a tourist, you need to purchase a travel insurance policy.

Medical inflation is at an all-time high. If you were to incur any injury during your stay abroad and required medical assistance, a travel insurance policy could come in handy. The country that you are visiting would also be concerned that you compensate their medical institution adequately.

Additionally, if you were to cause any bodily injury to any citizen abroad, they would want to be compensated or pose legal charges on you. With travel insurance, this concern gets resolved amicably because the burden doesn’t fall on just you. Your insurance provider would step in. Essentially, the need for mandatory travel insurance is raised by countries where they feel there could be a lapse of payments for facilities provided.

Impact of Travel Insurance

Typically, to enter a foreign country, you would require applying for a visa. By means of a visa, you are granted the right to travel to the country of your choice. The visa application guidelines would differ from country to country and is a time-consuming process. If you were to show in your application that you already hold a travel insurance policy, it is sure to contribute positively in your favour. Even if the country you are travelling to does not require a travel insurance mandatorily, it would still be assured that you would be able to afford any emergency costs occurring during your stay.

In case, your applied visa is for one of the 34 countries which has travel insurance as a mandate, the embassy officers would check for it in priority. And if you were to fail this mandatory requirement, your application could be outrightly rejected. Therefore, if you’re wondering is insurance mandatory for international travel, you now know the answer.

Ease of Online Application

If you are travelling, you will have a hundred things to take care of. The one thing that you would want to achieve without much effort is the procurement of a travel insurance policy. The most convenient way to make this purchase easily from within the comforts of your own home is through online.

Steps to buy travel insurance online

• Research and visit the website of a travel insurance provider

• Click on the icon which reflects online applications

• Provide details in the online form regarding yourself and your travel plans. Ensure that your email address is correctly mentioned as you will receive your policy details electronically on this address.

• Browse through different plan options. It is highly suggested that you visit different travel insurance websites to compare quotes, types of plans offered etc.

• Once you have finalised the type of travel insurance you want to purchase, click on the Buy Now/Proceed to Payment option.

• Fill in your net banking/credit/debit card details for the premium payment.

• Once paid, the details of your travel insurance policy would be simultaneously received on your registered email ID. Ensure that you take a photocopy of this for your own records.

Conclusion

The need for travel insurance is a dynamic requirement which is subject to change and differs from country to country. Before making any travel bookings, it is highly advised to do your research and be apprised if such requirements are mandated in the country you are planning to visit.

Disclaimer: The above information is indicative in nature. For more details on the risk factor, terms and conditions, please refer to the Sales Brochure and Policy Wordings carefully before concluding a sale.